A precious hoard of Iron Age gold treasures worth an estimated ВЈ1 million has been discovered by a first-time metal detector enthusiast near Stirling. It was unveiled to the media at an event at the National Museum of Scotland this morning. The collection was described as вЂњthe most important hoard of Iron Age gold found in Scotland to date.вЂќ

Stirling Iron Age Gold Hoard Treasure. Pics by S.Young

The Stirling Hoard: Gold Iron Age Torcs

The artefacts вЂ“ four neck ornaments of вЂњEuropean significance,вЂќ dating from between the 1st and 3rd centuries BC вЂ“ were discovered by a local man, David Booth, on private land back in September (the precise location has been kept secret, so as to prevent a mini gold-rush at the spot). One of them is slightly damaged; the others are in near-perfect condition.

Two of the pieces are ribbon torcs, which was a local style of jewellery made from twisting rigid pieces of gold. Another is half of an ornate torc of southern French origin вЂ“ to date the only artefact of its kind found in Britain. The fourth is a unique braided gold wire torc, which shows a strong Mediterranean influence.

They would have most likely belonged to an important and powerful local leader, and been worn as a way of showing off his wealth, importance and ability to trade precious goods with the continent.

Dr F. Watson, a research associate at the UHI Millennium InstituteвЂ™s Centre for History, commented: вЂњThe neckbands are of such national significance that they must be kept in Scotland. In the past something like this would have gone to London, but there is no way they should leave Scotland.вЂќ

What is going to happen to the treasure?

When not out metal detecting, Mr Booth reportedly works as the chief game warden at Blair Drummond Safari Park. He may have fed his last lion if the million pound valuation of the hoard вЂ“ based on the ВЈ350,000 figure a similar torc found in Newark, Nottinghamshire in 2005 sold for вЂ“ is accurate.

In accordance with the вЂњtreasure troveвЂќ statutes of common Scots law, while the pieces technically now belong to the Crown вЂ“ via The QueenвЂ™s and Lord TreasurerвЂ™s Remembrancer (QLTR) вЂ“ Mr Booth stands to net a sizeable ex-gratia reward payment, since the QLTR generously recognises вЂњthe contribution of members of the public who make chance finds.вЂќDr David Caldwell, representing the Treasure Trove Unit вЂ“ the body based at the National Museum of Scotland which is currently holding the items on behalf of the QLTR вЂ“ commented:

вЂњThe torcs are currently in the care of the Treasure Trove Unit, which is responsible for the care of antiquities found in Scotland on behalf of the Crown. The Treasure Trove Unit along with a team from National Museums Scotland is continuing to excavate and analyse the find.вЂќ

When and where will the Stirling Hoard go on display?

ItвЂ™s not yet been decided if or when the hoard will go on display. ItвЂ™s up to the Scottish Archaeological Finds Advisory Panel (SAFAP) вЂ“ an independent body, acting on behalf of The Treasure Trove Unit вЂ“ to make that call. Voices have already begun calling for reassurance that the artefacts will remain in Scotland, lest they end up expatriated to an English museum like the Lewis Chessmen.

Dr Fiona Watson, a research associate at the UHI Millennium InstituteвЂ™s Centre for History, commented to the Scotsman: вЂњThe neckbands are of such national significance that they must be kept in Scotland. In the past something like this would have gone to London, but there is no way they should leave Scotland.вЂќ